I got walloped in the face again with my not having enough Irish in my Irish-American. I've had versions of this for years, and usually deal with it better, but I was at a concert Friday that put this into high contrast.
My taste in music only runs to part of my actual ethnic makeup: I'm unfond of most German music, my mother's side, and have always had a stronger attraction to the Irish, Scottish and the English - father's side, and what was common in the house I grew up in, and schooled in a very Irish Catholic parish gradeschool.

So there I am, Friday night, having pulled myself away from delighting in British traditional songs from the Noel Sing We Clear songbook, (many of which I've been loving for years) and head out to the Irish American club to meet up with one of my session-organizing friends who plays fiddle. I did not know the show was going to be absolutely nothing but Irish rebel songs, and lots of background of the horrible things associated with them. I'm all for singing along, but NOT "Come out ye Black & Tans" and others that keep fresh the wounds of British involvement in Ireland. I gave a respectful listen to it all, and enjoyed the musicianship and humor. Most of the audience talked among themselves and disrespected the performers most of the time (guy in the first row of tables watching a sports event during the show, with volume on). But they're of the club, so that's ok?

Intermission, chatting with folks "what do you play?" Do I edit out that one of my joys besides Irish tunes, is English Country Dance music?

I don't directly relate to the struggle for Irish independence, nor do I ignore the many ways in which the British empire has been an oppressor. Having the music exclusively attached to politics makes no sense for me.